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First Steps

As part of the Gateway setup wizard, a number of settings are configured automatically, including a default Starter Policy. This means that you can start using Clearswift SECURE ICAP Gateway almost immediately. However, when you administer your Gateway for the first time, we recommend that you do the following as a minimum:

1. Configure your Firewall Settings and test the configuration using the Connectivity Test on the System Center Home page. This ensures that any updates to the connectivity of your system components are applied and helps to eliminate networking issues that might otherwise adversely impact server performance.
2. Add your ICAP Client(s) to the Gateway and configure the ICAP Server if required.
3. Install any available Clearswift Gateway upgrades.

4. Familiarize yourself with the basic concepts of setting up a security policy. You can then review and adapt the Gateway Starter Policy to suit your organization's requirements.

   We recommend reviewing the starter policy before using Clearswift SECURE ICAP Gateway in a live production environment.

Tell me about...

• The Clearswift SECURE ICAP Gateway

  The ICAP Gateway enables you to apply Clearswift's powerful content-policy scanning engines to your existing proxy configuration. Using the Gateway you can configure and apply flexible security policy, monitor user activity within your organization and manage data loss prevention. The ICAP Gateway provides:

  • Configurable web browsing policy
  • Informs and annotations when policy is violated
  • Managed updates and site categorization
  • Trusted sites, greylisting and whitelisting
  • Real-time blacklisting
  • Anti-virus protection
  • Social media policy routes
  • Reporting data
• What ICAP settings do I need to configure?

  As part of the setup process for your ICAP Gateway you must add your ICAP Clients to the Gateway using the ICAP Server Configuration page.

  You can also use the Server Configuration page to configure your ICAP client to allow the required inbound and outbound network traffic. If you have not completed this process as part of the installation, see the ICAP Server Configuration topic for more information.

• Why I need to install Clearswift Gateway upgrades

  Clearswift Gateway upgrades are available periodically on the Clearswift Update server and can be downloaded and installed on your Gateway. Upgrades can contain new features, bug fixes, and improvements to security.

  You should always install software upgrades as soon as they become available, unless advised otherwise by your Clearswift representative. This will ensure you always have the most up-to-date security protection available.

• Where I can find information on the Gateway security policy

  For information on all aspects security policy, including policy management components, policy routes, and applying security policy, see the About the Content Security Policy topic.

• The Starter Security Policy, what it contains, and how I adapt it

  For information on the Starter policy, including the supplied rules and routes, see The Starter Content Security Policy topic.

How do I...

• Configure the ICAP Server?

  For information on setting up the way your ICAP Gateway manages network traffic, see the ICAP Server Configuration topic.

• Check for and install Gateway upgrades?

  For information on checking for available upgrades, see the Viewing Currently Installed Software Packages topic.

  For information on installing upgrades, see the Installation & Getting Started Guide.